Journal Article > Study

This cross-sectional study examined outcomes for Medicare patients undergoing complex cancer surgery at U.S. News and World Report top-ranked cancer hospitals and their affiliates. Investigators found that surgery performed at affiliated hospitals was associated with higher 90-day mortality and that the top-ranked hospital was safer than its affiliates in 84% of the networks in the study. The authors suggest that while affiliated hospitals may share branding with top-ranked cancer facilities, further study of such networks is necessary to inform care for cancer patients.

This study describes the use of a systematic process, similar to a failure mode effects analysis, that anticipates potential safety issues before introducing a new intraoperative radiation therapy. The authors suggest their process can be applied to the introduction of any new technologies, treatments, or procedures.